TOMS Founder to Speak

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS and New York Times bestselling author of “Start Something That Matters,” will speak at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 in Orton Center.

This free event is open to the public, and sponsored by ASUR Convocations and Lectures, Social Affairs, Peer Education, Inclusion, and Senate. Following Mycoskie’s lecture, there will be a meet and greet and book signing.

“ASUR Student Government is all about giving students unique, unforgettable experiences and opportunities,” Luan Nguyen-Tran ’15, executive director of convocations and lectures, said. “Thus, when we discovered that Blake Mycoskie was a possibility to come to campus, we jumped on it and were able to bring him to speak. TOMS is a very well-known business that students can relate to. Everyone wants to do good in the world, but sometimes we don't know how. Whether it's supporting the company or even creating something of their own, Blake is someone that can inspire the hearts of many.”

TOMS was founded in 2006 as a one for one company – for each pair of shoes purchased, a pair was donated to a child in need. Since then, TOMS has distributed more than two million pairs of shoes, and has recently expanded to include TOMS Eyewear. During his lecture, Mycoskie will discuss a wide range of topics, from how he founded his company to what it’s like to follow your dreams.

“Blake's message will tie into a lot of what his book talks about: starting something that matters,” Nguyen-Tran said. “He aims to inspire students to initiate positive change in the world.”

Attendees at the lecture are also invited to participate in a question and answer session, where they can ask Mycoskie about his business, the future of the company, how they can give back, and what it’s like working in the philanthropic world.

“TOMS is very well known,” Nguyen-Tran said. “It is something that we all hear about, and the ‘why’ behind TOMS is something we can all relate to. There have been a number of questions asked regarding the ethics of the company, and this would be the right place to ask.”